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3 PR Lessons from The Walking Dead

By Korryn

I've been a faithful watcher of The Walking Dead for years now. There's honestly nothing I'd rather do on a Sunday night than sit on the couch and watch Daryl Dixon ride his motorcycle off into walker-infested sunsets.

Of course I know that if we ever end up in a zombie-ridden world then we would not care anything about PR, but since the world is still normal and we're not having to fight the zombies each day, here are 3 PR lessons for you from AMC's hit show: The Walking Dead.

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1. Find a core group of people you trust, and stick with them.

It's always a good idea to be surrounded by people you trust. If you watch the show, you know that so often it's people vs. people with the zombies just occasionally creeping up in the background. In PR, it's important to keep people close by that you trust. Whether it's someone to proofread your press release or tell you it's okay when you're having a bad day: you need a core group that will be around, even if the world ends.

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2. Stupid mistakes can end your run

We're so many seasons into The Walking Dead now, and you would think that the people that are on now will keep going for years to come, but that's not the case. In an instant, they can get caught up in an argument with a friend, forget something they've learned along the way, or make a stupid mistake, and wind up badly hurt, or worse: bit by zombie. In business this is the same: you make a careless mistake, it could be detrimental to your company. Nobody (and no company) is safe from public ridicule that a stupid mistake might bring on you... this is where PR comes in handy: to keep your business afloat in times of crisis.

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3. Preparation and strategy are key

Often times on the show, the characters have to logistically plan out their next steps, and then come with a plan b, c, or d in case something goes wrong. This is important in any industry, but in public relations always having a backup plan just in case will save you in the long run.

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We watch the show to see our favorite characters survive another week during the apocalypse. In PR, the concept is a lot the same: we work to see our clients survive and thrive for weeks, months, and years to come. Stay prepared and make smart decisions! And, of course, watch The Walking Dead if you don't already.